Expert: Cathy Clamp - 10/26/2009

Question
Hello Cathy.

There is a photo that I would like to use

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount-Yamnuska-szmurlo.jpg

but I'm not sure what information I need to include in it. I have asked at the help desk of this site:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount-Yamnuska-szmurlo.jpg
(my question is titled "using an image file")

but I still do not understand. Could you explain it as you would explain to an elementary student?

One of the responses was that I needed to include the whole license text; does that mean that I need to include everything on the page that the link takes me to (with the Preamble, etc) in the magazine?

Also, I have read about the Front-cover and Back-cover texts, but I still do not understand it.

For this particular image, it says "no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts." Does that mean I cannot print any words on the front and back covers if I use it for the front cover? (I know, I'm totally helpless...)

If I wanted to use an image that did not specify "no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts," does that mean I could only print five words max on the front cover? (The title of the magazine is three words, plus "November issue" - five words and that's it?)

Thank you so much!

Tzipporah

Answer
Hi, Tzipporah!

Sorry for the delay in responding, but I had to do a little research on the issue. You're located in Japan, which cooperates with international copyright laws, so I THINK this will apply. But you're asking a legal question that's not only about Wiki rules, but about copyright laws of various countries. It would be best to contact an attorney/solicitor in your local area to be certain you're doing the right thing.  But here's a link on Wiki that might answer your question.

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Permission_grant_extent

Basically, as I read it, you can use photographs that have global permissions PROVIDED you aren't using them for personal profit. If you're using it for the cover of a book that you plan to sell, you probably can't do it without getting the specific permission of the photographer, in writing.

But definitely check into your country's laws more carefully, and you might have to deal with the copyright laws of wherever the photographer is located (which may or may not be Japan.)

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!

Cathy